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Found At Last #1
Finding Giorgio
When young accountant Theo Stratis visits Nolan Downes, an elderly gay man in a local nursing home, he is surprised by Nolan’s request: find the lost love of his youth, Giorgio Roberto. Theo is also surprised to meet handsome and successful Jamison Radames, who is visiting the same nursing home. As Theo and Jamison embark on an investigative adventure to find Giorgio, they discover a great deal about themselves and each other. Solving the mystery of what happened to Giorgio might mean happily ever after for more than just Nolan.
- GenresM M Romance
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2020
35 people want to read
About the author
Joe Cosentino
45 books193 followersJOE COSENTINO was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, Drama King; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently a happily married emeritus college theatre professor residing in New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 12, 2020
Heartwarming and beautiful story.
I loved how determined Theo to find Giorgio for Nolan. And Jamison was there at the right time.
Love at first sight was a bonus of happiness for me.
At this era, I need a happy ending stories like this. Joe Cosentino delivered it perfectly!
Well done, Joe!
May 19, 2020
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Finding Giorgio (Found at Last, Book 1) by Joe Cosentino
★★★★☆
119 Pages
POV: 1st person, one character
Content Warning: contains scenes of dying; mentions sick, elderly patients; mentions of cancer, war vets, PTSD and POW, homelessness and homophobia
If there's one thing Joe excels at, it's spinning a good story, with an emotional heart. Finding Giorgio is a romance story tucked within a romance story. It's heart, warmth and excitement as two young men come together thanks to their Elder Friend, Nolan, to help solve the mystery of his lost first love. The one who got away, Giorgio, is a mystery at every turn. Hard to find, with a sad and troubled life the pair must unravel to find the secret to his current location, in hopes of reuniting Giorgio with Nolan.
The story has multiple romance stories to tell, but two main ones – one between Giorgio and Nolan, over fifty years ago when they were eighteen; and one between Jamison and Theo, in the present day. Interwoven throughout is the story of Nolan and Frank, and the realisation that nearly everyone has a Giorgio – one who got away and they'd like to see/find again, just to see what might have been.
The mystery is resolved quickly. It literally only takes 2 days of investigative work to find Giorgio, about 50% of the book. However, though it seemed really fact, in this modern day of the internet, even documents from the 60's are much easier to find than they used to be. So, though it meant the story progressed faster than I might have liked, it was authentic and logical enough to work.
The romance between Jamison and Theo was pretty insta-love, too. Due to how short the story was, and the progression of the relationship throughout, it was well paced for the length of the book. You could see the chemistry building, and I appreciated that, while they'd both been hurt before, Theo was much more vulnerable than Jamison. More hesitant to believe that this was the one time it would work out. Though it still felt too fast, for Theo's hang-ups and his need to take it slow, it fitted the pacing of the short novella style find.
Personally, I have to commend Joe for placing a positive light on nursing homes. My mum is a care nurse in a nursing home for people with dementia, and I've grown up around the nursing home my entire life. I've also been a volunteer in a nursing home, so I've seen it as an insider and an outsider. I've seen the good, the bad, the deterioration, and the care that goes into taking care of the elderly, and I loved how Joe showed the truth of it. The banter between nurses and patients is real (though the sexual jokes, and patients faking their deaths may be an exaggeration, I've definitely seen the latter) and I appreciate and applaud Joe for showed it honestly.
The story deals with some heavy themes, but Joe is no stranger to tugging on the heart strings. When the Cozzi Cove series ended, I was afraid there would be a huge gap in my romantic comedy, with heartfelt moments, bookshelf. However, Found at Last has just made the promise to be everything I've been missing since Cozzi Cove ended, and I couldn't be happier.
Giorgio and Nolan led the romantic but realistic gay version of Dirty Dancing in the 60's, and then managed to give it a positive, heartfelt and realistic ending in the modern-day, through Theo and Jamison. As with nearly every book I've read of Joe Cosentino's, I cried at the end and wasn't ready for it to be over.
Finding Giorgio is the first in a new series that will grab you by the heart, squeeze out those tears, and leave you having a satisfied sigh as you turn that last page. Wrung out, emotionally drained, but smiling and relieved that another well-deserved happy ending has been found.
~
Favourite Quotes
“I stared into his hypnotic eyes. “Jamison, are you really interested in me?”
“No.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “I think I'm captivated, smitten, and maybe beginning to fall head over heels for you.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Finding Giorgio (Found at Last, Book 1) by Joe Cosentino
★★★★☆
119 Pages
POV: 1st person, one character
Content Warning: contains scenes of dying; mentions sick, elderly patients; mentions of cancer, war vets, PTSD and POW, homelessness and homophobia
If there's one thing Joe excels at, it's spinning a good story, with an emotional heart. Finding Giorgio is a romance story tucked within a romance story. It's heart, warmth and excitement as two young men come together thanks to their Elder Friend, Nolan, to help solve the mystery of his lost first love. The one who got away, Giorgio, is a mystery at every turn. Hard to find, with a sad and troubled life the pair must unravel to find the secret to his current location, in hopes of reuniting Giorgio with Nolan.
The story has multiple romance stories to tell, but two main ones – one between Giorgio and Nolan, over fifty years ago when they were eighteen; and one between Jamison and Theo, in the present day. Interwoven throughout is the story of Nolan and Frank, and the realisation that nearly everyone has a Giorgio – one who got away and they'd like to see/find again, just to see what might have been.
The mystery is resolved quickly. It literally only takes 2 days of investigative work to find Giorgio, about 50% of the book. However, though it seemed really fact, in this modern day of the internet, even documents from the 60's are much easier to find than they used to be. So, though it meant the story progressed faster than I might have liked, it was authentic and logical enough to work.
The romance between Jamison and Theo was pretty insta-love, too. Due to how short the story was, and the progression of the relationship throughout, it was well paced for the length of the book. You could see the chemistry building, and I appreciated that, while they'd both been hurt before, Theo was much more vulnerable than Jamison. More hesitant to believe that this was the one time it would work out. Though it still felt too fast, for Theo's hang-ups and his need to take it slow, it fitted the pacing of the short novella style find.
Personally, I have to commend Joe for placing a positive light on nursing homes. My mum is a care nurse in a nursing home for people with dementia, and I've grown up around the nursing home my entire life. I've also been a volunteer in a nursing home, so I've seen it as an insider and an outsider. I've seen the good, the bad, the deterioration, and the care that goes into taking care of the elderly, and I loved how Joe showed the truth of it. The banter between nurses and patients is real (though the sexual jokes, and patients faking their deaths may be an exaggeration, I've definitely seen the latter) and I appreciate and applaud Joe for showed it honestly.
The story deals with some heavy themes, but Joe is no stranger to tugging on the heart strings. When the Cozzi Cove series ended, I was afraid there would be a huge gap in my romantic comedy, with heartfelt moments, bookshelf. However, Found at Last has just made the promise to be everything I've been missing since Cozzi Cove ended, and I couldn't be happier.
Giorgio and Nolan led the romantic but realistic gay version of Dirty Dancing in the 60's, and then managed to give it a positive, heartfelt and realistic ending in the modern-day, through Theo and Jamison. As with nearly every book I've read of Joe Cosentino's, I cried at the end and wasn't ready for it to be over.
Finding Giorgio is the first in a new series that will grab you by the heart, squeeze out those tears, and leave you having a satisfied sigh as you turn that last page. Wrung out, emotionally drained, but smiling and relieved that another well-deserved happy ending has been found.
~
Favourite Quotes
“I stared into his hypnotic eyes. “Jamison, are you really interested in me?”
“No.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “I think I'm captivated, smitten, and maybe beginning to fall head over heels for you.”
March 4, 2020
Released on the 21 April and Highly Recommend book
A GREAT story of finding lost love and maybe finding new ones too.
A beautiful story told by the author told with both POVs. Both characters helping their friend but find much more. The author writes their story with minimal narrated telling of the story which I loved and able to connect with.. It's hard to write this without spoilers but you'll feel the journey of what happened to Giorgio and Nolan with emotions. Theo and Jamison had an attraction between them in the start which builds. Being single vs relationships comes into play that puts tension high. Jamison knows what he wants..but you'll have to see what happens with Theo.
Do they find Giorgio? Nope... not telling.. but I'll say WOW...What An Ending.
This book is a new storyline to the author past stories, I'm excited to read the next book to come about finding past loves.
Theo 25 yrs visits a nursing home to find his elder friend. He meets Nolan a 73 yrs who is an endearing character.
With the help of Jamison they embark on quest to find Giorgio.
A GREAT story of finding lost love and maybe finding new ones too.
A beautiful story told by the author told with both POVs. Both characters helping their friend but find much more. The author writes their story with minimal narrated telling of the story which I loved and able to connect with.. It's hard to write this without spoilers but you'll feel the journey of what happened to Giorgio and Nolan with emotions. Theo and Jamison had an attraction between them in the start which builds. Being single vs relationships comes into play that puts tension high. Jamison knows what he wants..but you'll have to see what happens with Theo.
Do they find Giorgio? Nope... not telling.. but I'll say WOW...What An Ending.
This book is a new storyline to the author past stories, I'm excited to read the next book to come about finding past loves.
Theo 25 yrs visits a nursing home to find his elder friend. He meets Nolan a 73 yrs who is an endearing character.
With the help of Jamison they embark on quest to find Giorgio.
June 16, 2020
What a bittersweet story. It is beautifully written to make it not overly angsty and tear-jerking and you do get the idea from the beginning that the end will have something sad happen (gab a box of tissues). If you are familiar with Joe Cosentino’s writing you will know there is a lot of wit and humor even in his more serious work so that softens the blow as well. The romance is instant the entire story happens over just a few days, but I fell in love with both main characters and Nolan Downes the elder friend they go hunting a long-lost love for. Yes, the story is also predictable, but again it is a sweet feelgood love story.
If you like instalove, Elder friends, opposites attract, first love, fated love, soulmates and an allover sweet romance this is for you!
If you like instalove, Elder friends, opposites attract, first love, fated love, soulmates and an allover sweet romance this is for you!
May 6, 2020
What a charming and heartwarming story! This book has a variety of multi-faceted characters, clever humor, romance, and substance. It is so nice to see romance in both older and younger generations. The plot takes you on a fascinating journey, and I really enjoyed spending time with these characters. I would love to see more of Theo and Jamison.
April 23, 2020
DINGDINGDINGDING!!!! Joe Cosentino has done it again. His latest series of books is a WINNER. Great plot, characters you care about, tearful reunions and a start of a new romance. It has it all and a lot of heart! I look forward to the next novella!
April 22, 2020
I liked it a lot but I just wish the story was a bit longer!
April 27, 2020
I will warn you now, you better have tissues with this one. It’s a good, good story, but it is heart wrenching. It deals with the past, of lost loves trying to find the others before they die. But it’s the stories of what they went through that hit you so hard. You know, I often hear nowadays about how the lgbt community has it better now and the truth is, while some things may be a tad better, it’s really not. People just hide more now than they did then. And it kills me that people are so blind.
Theo wanted something to do with the lgbt center where he lived, and after trying many programs, he finally found one he really wanted to do. Be a visitor to an elderly person. After the initial scare Nolan put poor Theo through, they got along famously. Theo was so glad he got to get to know this man. And through Nolan, he got to meet Jamison. And although they were just friends, the chemistry was there. But Nolan had one request before he died. Which was coming sooner than they all liked. He wanted to see his first love, who was ripped from him by their families. Jamison and Theo spend days looking down every avenue they could possibly find, to find Giorgio and hopefully reunite them. And after all the searching, they think they did. But someone isn’t happy about it and may try to stop it from happening. And while the story of Nolan and Giorgio gets more in depth, it’s becoming hard on Jamison and Theo too. And everyone has to decide what’s truly best for each of them.
Back in the early 1900’s and even before and after, things for the lgbt community were abhorrent. And in truth, they are as great as some people would like others to believe. Because of ‘religion’ or other things, the lgbt community keep getting shoved down, beaten and repressed. All because they’re different. Which is stupid, because we all are different. When I read of Nolan and Giorgio’s story, it hurts my heart because there are so many stories like that out there. Then and now. And it’s not right. But what I love about this story, is Theo’s passion. He refused, no matter if he had to do it alone or not, to give up. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure Nolan and Giorgio got their happily ever after, if at all possible. It’s only right after all they had to go through. Giorgio more than anyone. He should never have had to go through what he did. It wasn’t right or fair. But I’m glad of Theo’s persistence. Of his never giving up or allowing failure to win. And because of it, things finally got to get out in the open. Wounds finally got a chance to start to heal. To a point. Some wounds you can never heal. But because Theo kept trying, things finally had a chance to move forward. Finally had a way to be where they should have from the beginning.
This is really such a good story. There’s some point in it that really upset me because of bigotry and hatred. But the overall makes it better. Makes it worth it. I’m glad I got to read it, but bring tissues.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Theo wanted something to do with the lgbt center where he lived, and after trying many programs, he finally found one he really wanted to do. Be a visitor to an elderly person. After the initial scare Nolan put poor Theo through, they got along famously. Theo was so glad he got to get to know this man. And through Nolan, he got to meet Jamison. And although they were just friends, the chemistry was there. But Nolan had one request before he died. Which was coming sooner than they all liked. He wanted to see his first love, who was ripped from him by their families. Jamison and Theo spend days looking down every avenue they could possibly find, to find Giorgio and hopefully reunite them. And after all the searching, they think they did. But someone isn’t happy about it and may try to stop it from happening. And while the story of Nolan and Giorgio gets more in depth, it’s becoming hard on Jamison and Theo too. And everyone has to decide what’s truly best for each of them.
Back in the early 1900’s and even before and after, things for the lgbt community were abhorrent. And in truth, they are as great as some people would like others to believe. Because of ‘religion’ or other things, the lgbt community keep getting shoved down, beaten and repressed. All because they’re different. Which is stupid, because we all are different. When I read of Nolan and Giorgio’s story, it hurts my heart because there are so many stories like that out there. Then and now. And it’s not right. But what I love about this story, is Theo’s passion. He refused, no matter if he had to do it alone or not, to give up. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure Nolan and Giorgio got their happily ever after, if at all possible. It’s only right after all they had to go through. Giorgio more than anyone. He should never have had to go through what he did. It wasn’t right or fair. But I’m glad of Theo’s persistence. Of his never giving up or allowing failure to win. And because of it, things finally got to get out in the open. Wounds finally got a chance to start to heal. To a point. Some wounds you can never heal. But because Theo kept trying, things finally had a chance to move forward. Finally had a way to be where they should have from the beginning.
This is really such a good story. There’s some point in it that really upset me because of bigotry and hatred. But the overall makes it better. Makes it worth it. I’m glad I got to read it, but bring tissues.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
April 23, 2020
Anyone who has ever fallen in love more than once always remembers the one that got away. Whether you willingly let them go or were forced apart, it's in our nature to sometimes wonder what might have been.
Theo Stratis, the narrator of author Joe Cosentino's delightful, endearing romance novel, "Finding Giorgio," hasn't been so lucky in love. After a string of brief courtships that ended before they began, the young accountant swears off dating and instead volunteers to be matched with an elder LGBTQ friend at an area nursing home.
Theo soon makes the acquaintance of the ailing, but no less spirited, Nolan Downes, and the two become fast friends. Nolan tells Theo about Frank, his late partner of more than four decades, but then shares the story of an unforgettable summer at a Poconos resort where he met a boy, Giorgio, when he was eighteen. The two young men caught each other's eye at a dance and spent the rest of the season attached at the hip, until they were caught in a compromising position and forbidden by their families to see each other ever again.
A few visits later, Nolan introduces Theo to his other young pal, Jamison Radames, a handsome medical professional whose grandmother lived at the home before she passed away. Nolan indirectly plays matchmaker when he asks Theo and Jamison to make his final wish come true and help reunite him with Giorgio. They agree to join forces and play amateur detectives, not only as a favor to their sick friend, but also as an excuse to get to know each other better.
In the days that follow the dynamic duo's investigative adventures take them to a variety of locales, including a homeless shelter and the home of Giorgio's estranged brother. Meanwhile, a romance blossoms between them that has both men feeling elated, aroused, and overwhelmed.
"Finding Giorgio" will make your heart soar and leave you breathless with anticipation. The budding relationship of Theo and Jamison is both encouraging and enlightening, and Nolan's outlook, knowing his final days are upon him, is especially inspiring.
Theo Stratis, the narrator of author Joe Cosentino's delightful, endearing romance novel, "Finding Giorgio," hasn't been so lucky in love. After a string of brief courtships that ended before they began, the young accountant swears off dating and instead volunteers to be matched with an elder LGBTQ friend at an area nursing home.
Theo soon makes the acquaintance of the ailing, but no less spirited, Nolan Downes, and the two become fast friends. Nolan tells Theo about Frank, his late partner of more than four decades, but then shares the story of an unforgettable summer at a Poconos resort where he met a boy, Giorgio, when he was eighteen. The two young men caught each other's eye at a dance and spent the rest of the season attached at the hip, until they were caught in a compromising position and forbidden by their families to see each other ever again.
A few visits later, Nolan introduces Theo to his other young pal, Jamison Radames, a handsome medical professional whose grandmother lived at the home before she passed away. Nolan indirectly plays matchmaker when he asks Theo and Jamison to make his final wish come true and help reunite him with Giorgio. They agree to join forces and play amateur detectives, not only as a favor to their sick friend, but also as an excuse to get to know each other better.
In the days that follow the dynamic duo's investigative adventures take them to a variety of locales, including a homeless shelter and the home of Giorgio's estranged brother. Meanwhile, a romance blossoms between them that has both men feeling elated, aroused, and overwhelmed.
"Finding Giorgio" will make your heart soar and leave you breathless with anticipation. The budding relationship of Theo and Jamison is both encouraging and enlightening, and Nolan's outlook, knowing his final days are upon him, is especially inspiring.
April 16, 2021
A short book that looked cute by it's title and review. I did like it - really easy to read - but it seemed a bit "too easy" if you know what I mean. The main characters set out to look for an elderly resident in a nursing home's long lost love. They start on a Friday, and by Monday have found him two states away and Tuesday reunited them after 50 years or so. I did enjoy the low stress book, but like I said - a bit too unbelievable.
May 23, 2020
A nice story. Loved the banter, wish there were more edits in the descriptive parts.
December 28, 2021
Cute story, but everything happens a bit too quickly, from finding Giorgio to the .
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews